News

Withybush: Outrage on social media over hospital Costa decision

Published

10 years ago

December 31, 2015

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Very sad day: The closure of the WRVS at withybush in favour of Costa. (Pic Lesley Cloud)

A PHOTOGRAPH showing the final day of the Cafe run by the WRVS at Withybush General Hospital caused outrage on social media on Wednesday (Dec 30).

By the time we were going to press on New Year’s Eve over 500 people had shared and 600 people had liked a post by Lesley Cloud saying: “A very sad say with the closure of the WRVS at Withybush is favour of Costa. Shame on you Hywel Dda Health Board.

Out of 117 people who had commented on Facebook at the time of going to press, not one person had said anything positive about the health board’s plan.

Here is a small sample of the remarks online.

Jane Merrony commented: “ Horrified to read this. The volunteers here are superb, always a smile for whatever news you may have just had or are waiting for. Don’t suppose you will get that from an employee somehow. Thank you to all you special ladies, it must be a very sad time for you all”

Caronline Quirk added : “I am so sorry, as much as I like Costa it has no place in Withybush or any hospital, the WRVS has done well over the years, a big thank you to all.”

Sally Mumford said: “This is really sad. I use this lovely cafe every couple of months with my son for his Audiology apps, lovely ladies make u feel welcome. I won’t be using Costa Coffee!”

Angela Atherton said: “ What a loss to the hospital, patients and visitors. Nothing better than a proper fresh sandwich and a cuppa. Costa is far too expensive.”

Hywel Dda has appointed Medirest, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, to provide new café and retail services for patients, staff and visitors across all acute hospital sites, following a competitive bidding process.

The board has given its approval for Medirest to provide Costa Coffee units and Amigo shops at Withybush, Glangwili, and Prince Philip hospitals, and a Deli Marche coffee and combined shop outlet at Bronglais.

Some facilities will be temporarily closed as the fit-out works are completed, however dining room facilities will continue to be available during this time.

The health board is also working closely with the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) – which currently provides some of the cafe and shop services – to explore ways of retaining the services of its volunteers in the healthcare community, where they can continue to make a positive difference to patients.

Discussions have already taken place between health board representatives and the RVS with a number of initiatives proposed, including a hospital-based befriending service to complement the strong links the health board has with hospital care services and the RVS at Bronglais.

Steve Moore, Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Medirest demonstrated they could deliver a great quality and scope of service, as well as refurbished cafe areas.

“We are very mindful that for many years Glangwili and Withybush hospitals have been provided with highly regarded, first class services by the RVS for patients, staff and visitors.

“We hold the RVS employees and volunteers in high regard and we hope to continue to work with them in different roles within the healthcare setting in the future.”

As part of the bidding process, interested parties were asked to outline their plans for the refurbishment of areas of the hospitals at zero cost to the health board, in order to generate income for the organisation through rent and turnover rent. This can be used to improve the hospital environment for patients and visitors.

Andrew Jones, Retail Operations Director Healthcare, Compass Group UK & Ireland added: “We’re looking forward to working with the health board from January, to work across the four hospitals in Wales. We’ll be implementing our trusted partner brands in these sites and we think it will offer an enhanced service to patients, visitors and staff, as well as offer a source of income for the health board.”

Peter Llewellyn, Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships at Hywel Dda, added: “A positive meeting was held with representatives of the RVS, and a number of initiatives are being proposed to manage volunteers at Withybush and Glangwili hospitals with a view to strengthening our relationship with the RVS in recognition of the huge contribution they have made over a number of years.”

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.